Pioneer of Irish fiction: Remembering the late Limerick author, Kate O’Brien

Literary connoisseurs will step back in time and immerse themselves  in the world of Kate O’Brien, one of Limerick’s most celebrated authors, as they honour the 50th anniversary of her passing. 

An Afternoon with Kate O’Brien is an exclusive event which aims to blend literature, history, music and delightful culinary treats in a setting that captures the spirit of Ms O’Brien’s life and legacy, marking 50 years since her death.

Hosted by renowned Limerick writer and event organiser, Rose Servitova, the afternoon tea event will take place in No.1 Pery Square this Sunday, November 10 at 2pm. 

As a trailblazing literary figure and outspoken advocate for social issues, Ms O’Brien’s work continues to inspire readers and writers alike. 

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With an award named after the late author, who was born in 1897 and passed in 1974, Kate O’Brien is remembered as one of the most important writers of the 20th century. 

A pioneer in Irish fiction, Ms O’Brien was born in Limerick on December 3, 1897 to horse-dealer Thomas O'Brien and his wife, Catherine Thornhill O’Brien. 

One of ten children, Ms O’Brien was just five-years-old when her mother Catherine died of cancer in 1903.

After becoming the youngest boarder at Laurel Hill, Ms O’Brien went on to receive a county council scholarship to read French and English in University College Dublin (UCD) the same year that her father passed away, in 1916.

Ms O’Brien graduated from UCD with a BA degree in 1919, moving to England where she worked as a freelance journalist, before travelling the world and getting married, briefly, to a Dutchman, Gustaff Renier. 

Spanning nearly 50 years, Ms O’Brien’s literary career commenced in 1926 with a play entitled Distinguished Villa. It was performed at the Aldwych Theatre in London on May 2, 1926, and was met with wide acclaim. 

During the annual Limerick Literary Festival, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in March this year and was formerly known as The Kate O’Brien Weekend, an award under Ms O’Brien’s name is presented to a chosen author with a cash prize of €2,000. 

This year, Aoife Fitzpatrick won the ninth annual Kate O’Brien Award for her novel The Red Bird Sings.

The Limerick Literary Festival began in 1984, marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Ms O’Brien and every year, the festival attracts prominent participants from home and abroad.

In June 2022, as part of the Limerick Literary Festival that year, Ms O’Brien’s most famous novel was re-published after being out of print for almost 70 years. 

Of her nine novels, Pray for the Wanderer is described as  her rarest, and was revived and circulated two years ago thanks to Arlen House, a literary press company based in Limerick. They were instrumental in the revival of interest in Ms O’Brien’s work. 

The novel, Pray for the Wanderer, is Ms O’Brien’s love letter to Limerick and explores the emotional pain of an Irish writer genuinely torn between the artistic freedom of abroad and the  beauty and security of home.

Fast forward to this weekend, An Afternoon with Kate O’Brien will see intimate discussions into the author’s life works and achievements and will celebrate her Limerick heritage. 

The event will feature a special musical tribute by award-winning soprano Sarah-Ellen Murphy, accompanied by pianist Irina Dernova, performing a song by Fiona Linnane, composed in honour of the late Limerick author. 

Attendees will also enjoy a unique historical insight from Limerick historian Sharon Slater, with an engaging talk entitled From Evicted Tenants to Limerick Bourgeoisie – The Changing Fortunes of the O’Brien Family.

Afternoon tea will be served as the musical duo performs a stirring rendition of Thomas Moore’s In the Midst Hour of Night, a piece often sung by Kate O’Brien and her siblings at family gatherings.

The menu, inspired by historical links to Limerick and the O’Brien family, will be introduced by Patricia Roberts of No.1 Pery Square.

The literary aspect of the day will continue with Eileen O’Connor, a committee member of the Limerick Literary Festival, who will explore Ms O’Brien’s literary career in her talk called In the Embrace of Love – The Ups and Downs of Kate O’Brien’s Writing Journey.

Adding a dramatic flair to the event, renowned actor Myles Breen will perform excerpts from Ms O’Brien’s novels and memoir, reflecting the writer’s elegant writing style and focus on themes of love and freedom.

To conclude the afternoon, Sarah-Ellen Murphy and Irina Dernova will once again perform a beautiful composition by Fiona Linnane, inspired by the author’s works.

Each guest will receive a specially-themed keepsake to commemorate the unique event. Tickets are limited, so early booking is advised and can be done here.